"I also am anxious to have him try life on the Mississippi," said Jenieve, and she drew a deep breath of relief. "Why did you not tell me this before?"
"How could I know you were interested in him?"
"He is not a bad man," she admitted kindly. "I can see that he means very well. If the McClures would go to the Illinois Territory with him—But, Monsieur Crooks," Jenieve asked sharply, "do people sometimes make sudden marriages?"
"In my case they have not," sighed the young man. "But I think well of sudden marriages myself. The priest comes to the island this week."
"Yes, and I must take the children to confession."
"What are you going to do with me, Jenieve?"
"I am going to say good-night to you, and shut my door." She stepped into the house.
"Not yet. It is only a little while since they fired the sunset gun at the fort. You are not kind to shut me out the moment I come."
She gave him her hand, as she always did when she said good-night, and he prolonged his hold of it.
"You are full of sweetbrier. I didn't know it grew down here on the beach."